Insights from the Bush: May 2022

Insights, Partner Update, 30 May 2022

Our Program Portfolio Leads recently presented to the FRRR Board on some of the common issues and themes emerging in funding requests that we are receiving from community groups, and from conversations with local community leaders. 

Some highlights are shared below:

People

  • The Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) program continues to take root and expand – this program uses a multi-faceted and community-led approach to build capacity in local NFP organisations, and the model is being adapted beyond the NSW North Coast to the Bega community. Collaboration at the NGO level and the recognition that there is an ecosystem within single communities is something that was highlighted as essential to effective funding by Michelle Gortan, CEO, Macdoch Foundation, in this edition’s Donor Spotlight.
  • An adapted version of the IRCF model will also be delivered in Bega, thanks to a further $1.3 million injection through the same program. This will include a partnership with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation. The IRCF program will build on the work of the FRRR and Paul Ramsay Foundation Funding that has been delivered since the bushfires.
  • Due to the cancellation of the Canberra Heywire Summit, the ABC Heywire Youth Ideas Lab was held in Shepparton in May as part of ABC’s Takeover Shepparton – a place-based storytelling competition that high school students in Shepparton participated in. The national Heywire Grant program will be supported by $30,000 for Shepparton projects, and the program will open in June.

Place

  • Community projects to rebuild and redefine places post-COVID are increasing. In Q3 there was more than double the funding for projects that encourage self-generation when compared with the second quarter. This is primarily because Future Drought Fund (FDF) grants made up a large portion of Q3 funding and a lot of the projects focussed strongly on self-generation through agricultural industry sustainability/development and community planning projects to increase resilience to drought.
  • Our reach is increasing in parts of Australia that are harder to reach – funding for projects in remote and very remote locations has increased this Financial Year and is already above that of the 2020-2021 year. Proportionally, the number of grants to RA4 and RA5 (Remote/Very Remote) has not changed but the average FRRR grant has increased by $1,700 over that time frame and the total number of grants has increased.
  • There has been a significant increase in the footprint in WA and NT. Grants of $1.62M were distributed by the end of Q3, more than doubling the granting amount at the same time last year. Most of this increase has been in WA and the major contributors to this have been the new FDF and Nutrien programs that have significantly higher proportions of funding going to WA than other national programs.

Disaster Resilience and Climate Solutions

  • During Q3, there were significant climate impacts on both people and communities all across Australia. NSW (41 RRR LGA’s) and Qld (18 RRR LGA’s) were impacted by floods, as well as other specific locations. A total of 12 separate disaster events have been declared since 1 January this year, and so Disaster Resilience and Climate Solutions continues to be an area of priority.
  • Overlaid impacts are also significant in Qld where 13 LGA’s are both flood and 19/20 fire impacted, and in NSW where 36 LGA’s are both flood and 19/20 fire impacted. 
  • An estimated 442 active grants are underway in impacted communities in Qld and NSW. The FRRR team is taking a highly flexible, supportive, and case-by-case approach to support applicants, and an estimated 442 active grants are underway in impacted communities in Qld and NSW. Our place-based disaster resilience work is more important than ever in working alongside communities to co-design and act on ways they can be more prepared, strengthen connection to people, country, culture, and policy systems. 

Our team regularly publish insights to social media and sector publications. Here are a few recent articles in case you’ve missed them:

  • Volunteer Revolution; ‘Leadership at the Intersections’ which was written for Australian Philanthropic Services;
  • A piece on the need for investment in rural communities in NRHA’s Partyline;
  • Over the Fence, a podcast published by Farmers for Climate Action;
  • Our IRCF team and some community members were interviewed on the Philanthropy Australia podcast, Building rural and regional communities for the long haul.;
  • We also welcomed the extension of DGR1 status, especially for Community Foundations. 

If you would like to know more, don’t hesitate to contact our Portfolio Leads, who would be happy to share further information.

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Amy Crawford

Amy Crawford has an extensive career in complex public policy and its intersection across government and communities.

Amy is the Chief Executive Officer at the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), representing 537 councils across the nation. Amy holds over 20 years’ experience in the Australian Public Service. She has a deep understanding of federal government policies and structures, with over 10 years’ service in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and has worked for the federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories. Amy has shaped a wide range of policies and programs including regional development, telecommunications, immigration, emergency management, social policy and pandemic preparation.

Amy is a Board Director of Austroads and represents ALGA on the Public Skills Australia Industry Advisory Group, and the Australia-New Zealand Emergency Management Committee. She is also a Board Director for the Canberra Youth Theatre which provides voice for Canberra’s youth through intelligent and challenging theatre.

Amy holds a Bachelor of Laws (honours) and Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) from the University of Queensland, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an alumnus of the Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership. Amy was appointed to the FRRR Board in January 2025.

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Kylie Hansen

Kylie brings leadership and management experience from across academic, corporate, not-for-profit, social enterprise and impact investment sectors, having deep dived into a myriad of specialisations and systems. Her six tertiary qualifications are equally as diverse and complimentary, covering commerce, politics, international development, community development, project management and law. Her breadth and depth of experience enables her to draw on a number of disciplines and innovative ways of working and thinking, and she is well recognised as consistently delivering work and services of a high quality.

Kylie uses her strong background in sustainability, governance and impact measurement to support collaborative initiatives across sectors oriented at improving social outcomes, and to support socially conscientious businesses to articulate their social impact. As founder and director at Impact Seed she has been instrumental in developing the impact measurement, evaluation, learning and ESG practice which advises numerous corporates, and is passionate about supporting First Nations empowerment particularly in the context of regional economic development.

Kylie is also a Director of the WA Social Enterprise Council, a member of the B Council (B Lab Australia and New Zealand), and a Governor of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

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Hon. John Anderson AC

The Hon. John Anderson AC is a sixth-generation farmer and grazier from NSW, who served in the Australian Parliament from 1989 to 2008.

He was a senior Cabinet minister in the government led by John Howard (1996 to 2005), including six years as Leader of the National Party and Deputy Prime Minister.

In the latter role, Mr Anderson played in important role in FRRR’s history, working closely with Baillieu Myer AC and others on a proposal to establish a philanthropic organisation to benefit rural Australia. The concept was discussed at the National Regional Summit in 1999 and FRRR was established shortly thereafter.

Mr Anderson currently hosts a regular podcast, where he is in conversation with thought-leaders from around the world, and is a regular media commentator.

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Regina Cruickshank

Partnerships Specialist (WA)

Regina supports FRRR as the WA Partnerships Specialist. With over two decades of experience in partnerships and marketing, she has a deep understanding of Western Australia’s social impact landscape. She brings a strong passion for leveraging purpose-built networks to create positive change.

Regina previously worked with Playgroup WA and founded a Health Promotion Charity dedicated to supporting Social Emotional wellbeing for underserved communities. She’s excited about the opportunity to connect with partners and explore ways to make a meaningful difference in WA.

She lives in Perth with her family and enjoys mindful moments of connection to Country, whether on horseback, on foot or underwater.

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Anna Palmer

People and Culture Manager

Based in Central Victoria, Anna is a senior Human Resources, Organisation Development and Industrial Relations professional, with significant private and public sector experience across every facet of people and culture leadership.

Her most recent roles have been with Don KR in Castlemaine and Mount Alexander Shire Council. She has also held senior HR roles with Victoria Legal Aid and the TAC among many others.

From Mildura originally, Anna has postgraduate qualifications in Change Management and a Masters in Organisation Dynamics.

Anna is currently completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts to balance her creative pursuits and work as an HR professional.

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Philippa Twaddle

Management Accountant

Carolyn joined the FRRR team in March 2017, and is responsible for providing executive support to the CEO, effective coordination of the FRRR office and general administrative support to the management team. A key responsibility is supporting the administration of FRRR’s Donation Account Services.

She has over fifteen years’ experience working in local government in the Tourism and Arts Sector, Civic and Event Management and Community engagement.

Carolyn has a Bachelor of Arts in Librarianship, majoring in psychology, and grew up on farming communities in Cohuna and Echuca and currently lives in Bendigo.